Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 299: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will respond to a query from a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5 on taxi licences. [14863/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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Decisions regarding the location and operation of taxi ranks on public roads are primarily matters for consideration by the relevant local authority. Under section 84 of the Road Traffic Act 1961, as amended, a local authority is empowered to make by-laws in respect of any specified area in its functional area appointing the places at which taxis may stand for hire. The making of such by-laws is a reserved function of a local authority.

Insofar as the management and control of the operation of the taxi rank at Dublin Airport is concerned, this is a matter for the Dublin Airport Authority.

With regard to taxi numbers, the October 2000 High Court judgement which led to taxi liberalisation created the legal position that limitation of taxi licences in the interests of existing licence holders could not be sustained. Regulations made in November 2000 responded to the new legal situation established by reference to the decision of the High Court. Subsequently, the Taxi Regulation Act 2003, which provides the legislative basis for the licensing and operation of small public service vehicles generally, does not provide a basis for the application of quantitative controls on the issue of licences for any such vehicles.

The Commission for Taxi Regulation is now the independent public body responsible for the development and maintenance of the regulatory framework for the control and operation, including licensing, of taxis, hackneys, limousines and their drivers. However, the Commission does not have any remit or statutory power under the Taxi Regulation Act 2003 in relation to the control of the number of licences issued. The Commission is, however, progressing policy and supporting regulation in relation to such aspects within its statutory control as vehicle standards and driver skills and knowledge. This will contribute to enhancing the overall standards that a small public service vehicle operator must meet to obtain either a small public service vehicle driver or vehicle licence.